The wild never

The sky does not understand 

never. Its glassy blue body 

is an illusion hanging over everything. 

I can not shake it. And. 

Why would I want to. Except 

for the way it never, it never

disappears. Sometimes I fool myself. 

I believed the trees 

would not turn this autumn. That 

the weather had stolen the alteration 

and left instead just 

the crisp brown of dying. But here 

they are now, an apothecary 

of crimson hearts and stars 

dangling over every landmark 

my eyes can touch. I had almost 

managed to forget the way it felt 

to be plunged through by wildness. 

But here I am again: a forest

sized ache, waiting to be 

swallowed by that wild/     never-sky

Reviews

[Fabian G. Franklin]

This was very different from most things I read about nature; even different from a personal perspective of a self-proclaimed transcendentalist. I enjoyed the different view. I was reminded of a song (I always am) by country singer Leeann Womack titled, "I Hope You Dance" and a line contained in it where she says, "I hope you still feel small when you stand beside the ocean". I think that natural wonder and awe is a good thing to maintain as well. I enjoyed the read.

[Eilis]

Thank you for the kind words, Fabian. I’m glad you enjoyed the poem.

[Robert Trakofler]

Oh where has dear Eils gone did she get swallowed? me hopes not! I was cleaning out some of my old poems and came across one of your old reviews and found this:) Well im hoping you are well and still dipping your ink in the well with your wild whiles

[Eilis]

Hi, Robert. Belated thanks for your visit. I hope you are well there.

[Fairy Khan]

Can relate to the word "forest sized ache" so much that it's so sad. Love the piece.

[Eilis]

Thank you, Fairy!

[Scott Kris]

I have always spent far too much time looking up into the sky... I am a dreamer too... It is always changing and I can always find something to ponder up there in this sky of ours. Yes, it is a "never-sky", never ending, never without some gift, never ever tame. Yes! Loving this line of thought.

Thank you for sharing this write,

David

[Eilis]

Hi, David. Thank you for your kind comment. I like what you see in the poem. Nature is never fully tamed, indeed. Thanks for reading.

[John]

Ioved the absolute, plangent tone of these stanzas, with the word Never studding them like a dismal leitmotif - shades of Poe's nevermore. Fresh formula like the crisp brown of dying indicate that this I/eye is ever alert. While the words that precede crimson hearts tell us that this speaker is not going to be satisfied by cliche.The desire to be absorbed into nature is commonplace, and the failure to do so almost inevitable for a consciousness of such alertness and creativity.

[Eilis]

Thanks for such a lovely and astute comment, John. I appreciate you reading with attention and your keen eye. I’m glad you enjoyed the poem.

[Julie McCarthy (juliesp..]

Sometimes i look up to sky just wanna dissapear in its blue infinity
I love your poem
You captured it well

[Eilis]

Hi, Julie. I loved what you had to say. Thank you for reading.

[Ranger Kessel]

I love the forest size ache. Ive felt like that it times. I felt darkness reading this alone with appreciation. I enjoyed this.

[Eilis]

Hi, Ranger. Sorry for the delayed response. I have been away from the site. Thank you for reading. I’m glad you enjoyed.

[SkinlessFrank]

The notion that the natural forces of this universe are beyond the understanding of such small beings as ourselves, that we can only watch passively and wait for whatever is thrown at us is...this I often feel. It is an illusion, bordering on narcissism that we have any real control. You likely know that some physicists and philosophers have reached the common conclusion that we are part of some grand simulation, and yet I retain just enough self-awareness to react with an empty pit in my stomach when such a thought crosses my mind.

[Eilis]

It is a bit too twisty for me to think about, yes. It’s like thinking of ourselves as characters in a video game and that is quite unsettling. Sometimes the enormity of it all makes it seem we have boundless freedom. That can be scary in itself. The absolute openness. It’s hard to say how we function better—under direction or without that hand. Thanks for your always interesting comments.

[Coyote Poetry]

I loved the poetry Eilis.
"But here I am again: a forest
sized ache, waiting to be
swallowed by that wild/ never-sky"
I do like the above lines. I sought the salvation of the forest, the wild sea often and I still do. Thank you for sharing the outstanding poetry.
Coyote

[Eilis]

Thank you for sharing your lovely thoughts on the poem, Coyote. I’m glad you enjoyed.

[Coyote Poetry]

I did enjoy Eilis and you are welcome.

[Robert Haigh]

Some interesting imagery here. Also a certain sadness, and possibly frustration, tinged with anger and fear. "a forest sized ache" - I've certainly had that in my time! A mood piece, fairly open to interpretation. I enjoyed the read.

[Eilis]

Hi, Robert. I think that openness to interpretation may be my downfall sometimes. I appreciate your kind words on my poem. I’m glad you enjoyed.

[Robert Haigh]

Openness to interpretation is no bad thing. I remember the singer-songwriter Paul Simon once saying it is best to begin writing a song or a poem with as broad an approach as possible. If you start off with a very narrow perspective you can soon find that you have painted yourself into a corner!

[Eilis]

I do agree with you, Robert. Thank you for the reassurance. Much of the criticism I’ve received has centered around the difficulty of interpreting my poems. But perhaps openness and difficulty don’t have to coincide. Thanks again. I look forward to visiting your page soon.